Histochemical Observations on Aminopeptidase Activity in Normal Salivary Gland

Abstract

Experiments were conducted on salivary glands of both male and female such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and dogs in employing both the BURSTONE and FOLK method and NACHLAS, CRAWFORD and SELIGMAN method for the purpose of seeing the distribution and localization of aminopeptidase.
1. Mouse: The most intense activity of the enzyme was observed in the submaxillary gland, but the enzyme reaction was weak in the sublingual gland.
2. Rat: The submaxillary and sublingual gland revealed moderate or slight reaction, and in the latter gland the reaction was seen in the basal portion of the cells. The parotid gland showed a weak reaction.
3. Rat: The submaxillary and parotid gland showed moderate activity of the enzyme, but the most significant reaction was found in the sublingual gland.
4. Rabbit: The submaxillary gland showed an intense enzyme activity. On the other hand the parotid gland exhibited no activity.
5. Dog: The submaxillary and sublingual gland showed moderate activity, and the parotid gland showed weak reaction.
6. High enzyme reaction were observed in intralobular ducts, especially in the striated ducts cells of certain mammals, and the enzyme activity was generally found to be weaker in large duct cells than in intralobular duct cells.